SIX - One Direction

40

Hours later, after cake, laughter, and a round of karaoke that was more entertaining than anyone cared to admit, Alex found herself scanning the party for Harry. The energy was starting to wind down, and she knew they needed to talk before the night ended.

"Oi, Niall, have you seen Harry?" she asked, noticing him chatting with a few guests near the drinks table.

"He went outside a while ago," Niall said, glancing toward the back door. "I think he needed some space."

"Right. Thanks," Alex replied, her stomach tightening with a mix of nerves and resolve. She headed towards the balcony, hoping he was still out there.

The cool night air hit her as she stepped outside, and there, leaning against the railing, was Harry. He was staring off into the darkness, looking distant, like he wasn't even part of the party anymore. Alex's heart raced, but she knew she had to approach him now.

"Harry?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He turned, the surprise in his eyes quickly fading to a more guarded expression. "Hey."

"Can we talk?" she asked, taking a couple of steps closer to him.

He hesitated, then nodded and pushed himself off the railing, crossing his arms as if trying to shield himself. "Yeah, sure."

Alex let out a breath and took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Look, I'm really sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to upset you. I just... I don't know. I thought you'd trust me to handle myself."

"I do trust you, Alex," Harry replied, his voice tight. "It's just... seeing you with him, laughing like that, it got to me. I know it's stupid, but I can't help it."

"It's not stupid to feel that way, but you've got to know, it was just a conversation," she said, frustration creeping in. "I care about you, and I'm not going to just run off with someone else because they've got a bit of charm."

"I know that!" Harry shot back, raking a hand through his hair. "But it felt like you were slipping away from me. You're always surrounded by people, and I feel like I'm the one left behind."

"You're not left behind," Alex said firmly. "I care about you, you know that. I want you with me. But I'm not going to sit around pretending I'm not having a good time just because you're feeling off."

"Then why did it feel like I wasn't even in the room?" Harry asked, his voice breaking slightly. "I stood there, watching you smile at him, and it felt like I was invisible. It just... it hurt, Alex."

Alex took a step closer, feeling the sting of his words. "I'm sorry you felt like that. It wasn't my intention to make you feel left out. But you can't just expect me to stop enjoying myself because you're feeling insecure."

"Maybe I shouldn't have reacted the way I did," Harry admitted, his voice quieter now, almost vulnerable.

The shift in his tone softened Alex's frustration. She reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "You're not the problem, Harry. I'm not going anywhere. We're in this together, okay?"

He looked at her for a moment, his expression softening. "I know. I just let my emotions get the best of me. I hate feeling like this."

"It's okay to feel like that," she said gently. "But you've got to trust me more. I'm not going anywhere."

Harry sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly still feeling guilty. "I should've just talked to you earlier instead of flipping out like that. I guess I let jealousy take over."

"Let's go back inside, yeah? The night's not over yet," Alex suggested, feeling the weight of the tension finally lifting.

Harry gave a small nod, the corners of his lips tugging upward just slightly. "Alright. Let's make the most of it."

They went back inside, and the warmth of the party embraced them once more. The earlier tension between them started to fade, replaced by the familiar sounds of laughter and music. As they rejoined their friends, Niall and Zayn gave them knowing looks and raised their glasses in silent approval.

Harry wrapped an arm around Alex's waist, pulling her close as they found their spot on the dance floor. The music played, and they moved together, the beat matching the rhythm of their easy connection. Alex glanced up at Harry, meeting his eyes for the first time since their talk.

"Happy birthday, Alex," he murmured, his voice quieter now, but full of meaning.

"Thanks, Harry," she said with a smile, feeling the warmth of his presence.

The night continued with dancing, laughter, and moments that made Alex feel grounded again. As she looked around at the people who mattered most, she knew this was a birthday she'd never forget. Despite the earlier tension, she was exactly where she wanted to be—surrounded by love, music, and the kind of memories that would last a lifetime.